Criss-crossed Patterns in Dust Over Persian Gulf – May 24th, 2012

All of the Persian Gulf is covered by a veil of dust in this image of the region. Criss-crossed streaks in the cloud of dust indicate changes in air currents and/or winds blowing in different directions at different altitudes. Vertical streaks can be seen in the upper part of the gulf, near Iraq and Kuwait, that are crossed by horizontal streaks stretching between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, north of Qatar. The close-up focuses on more curved patterns in the dust in the lower reaches of the gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz.